Human Anatomy and Physiology Overview

Cells: Basic unit of life; building blocks of tissues.
Tissues: Groups of similar cells performing specific functions.
- Types: Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous.
Organs: Structures composed of different tissues working together.
- Examples: Heart, lungs, liver.
Organ Systems: Groups of organs that work together.
- Examples: Circulatory, respiratory, digestive systems.
Organism: Complete living entity.

Integumentary System
- Components: Skin, hair, nails.
- Functions: Protection, temperature regulation, sensation.
Skeletal System
- Components: Bones, cartilage, ligaments.
- Functions: Support, movement, blood cell production, mineral storage.
Muscular System
- Components: Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
- Functions: Movement, posture, heat production.
Nervous System
- Components: Brain, spinal cord, nerves.
- Functions: Control of body activities through electrical signals.
Endocrine System
- Components: Glands (e.g., thyroid, adrenal).
- Functions: Hormone production regulating metabolism, growth, and mood.
Cardiovascular System
- Components: Heart, blood vessels, blood.
- Functions: Transport of nutrients, gases, hormones; waste removal.
Lymphatic/Immune System
- Components: Lymph nodes, lymph vessels, spleen.
- Functions: Defense against infection and disease; fluid balance.
Respiratory System
- Components: Lungs, trachea, diaphragm.
- Functions: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Digestive System
- Components: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines.
- Functions: Breakdown of food, nutrient absorption, waste elimination.
Urinary System
- Components: Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra.
- Functions: Waste removal, regulation of blood volume and pressure.
Reproductive System
- Components: Male (testes, penis) and female (ovaries, uterus).
- Functions: Production of gametes, hormone regulation, reproduction.

Definition: Maintenance of stable internal conditions (e.g., temperature, pH).
Mechanisms: Feedback loops (negative and positive), regulation of body functions.

Cell Membrane: Semi-permeable barrier; controls entry and exit of substances.
Nucleus: Control center; contains genetic material (DNA).
Organelles: Specialized structures (e.g., mitochondria for energy, ribosomes for protein synthesis).

Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces, lines cavities, forms glands.
Connective Tissue: Supports, binds other tissues; includes bone, blood, fat.
Muscle Tissue: Responsible for movement; types include skeletal, cardiac, and smooth.
Nervous Tissue: Transmits impulses; consists of neurons and glial cells.

Metabolism: All biochemical processes in the body; includes catabolism and anabolism.
Transport Mechanisms: Passive (diffusion, osmosis) and active processes (active transport).
Cell Communication: Hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules.

Anatomy focuses on the structural aspects of the body and its parts, while physiology examines how these structures function and operate together.

Cells serve as the foundational unit of life, forming tissues through groups of similar cells.
Tissues include types such as epithelial (covering and lining), connective (supportive structures), muscle (movement), and nervous (signal transmission).
Organs are complex structures made of different tissue types working collaboratively, e.g., the heart and lungs.
Organ systems are composed of groups of organs that perform related functions, such as the circulatory and digestive systems.
The complete living entity is referred to as an organism.

Integumentary System: Comprises skin, hair, nails; provides protection, regulates temperature, and allows sensation.
Skeletal System: Includes bones and cartilage; supports the body, facilitates movement, produces blood cells, and stores minerals.
Muscular System: Contains skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles; enables movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.
Nervous System: Consists of the brain and spinal cord; regulates body activities by transmitting electrical signals.
Endocrine System: Features glands like the thyroid; responsible for hormone production which regulates metabolism, growth, and mood.
Cardiovascular System: Encompasses the heart and blood vessels; transports nutrients, gases, and hormones, and removes waste.
Lymphatic/Immune System: Includes lymph nodes and vessels; defends against infections and maintains fluid balance.
Respiratory System: Comprises lungs and airways; facilitates gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Digestive System: Involves organs such as the stomach and intestines; breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.
Urinary System: Features kidneys and bladder; removes waste products and regulates blood volume and pressure.
Reproductive System: Consists of male (testes, penis) and female (ovaries, uterus) structures; responsible for gamete production and reproduction.

Homeostasis refers to the body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions, such as temperature and pH, through mechanisms like feedback loops.

The cell membrane acts as a semi-permeable barrier, controlling the flow of substances in and out of the cell.
The nucleus functions as the control center and houses DNA, guiding cell activities.
Organelles, such as mitochondria (energy production) and ribosomes (protein synthesis), perform specialized functions within the cell.

Epithelial Tissue: Covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands essential for protection and secretion.
Connective Tissue: Binds and supports other tissues; examples include bone, blood, and adipose (fat) tissue.
Muscle Tissue: Responsible for all body movements; categorized into skeletal (voluntary), cardiac (involuntary), and smooth (involuntary).
Nervous Tissue: Facilitates impulse transmission; consists of neurons (signal carriers) and glial cells (supporting cells).

Metabolism encompasses all biochemical processes, including catabolism (breaking down structures) and anabolism (building up structures).
Transport mechanisms can be passive (e.g., diffusion, osmosis) or active (e.g., active transport requiring energy).
Cell communication occurs through various signaling methods including hormones and neurotransmitters, crucial for coordinating cellular activities.